"The church's pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently," Francis said. "We have to find a new balance; otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel."

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Pope warns church must find new balance or fail

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has warned that the Catholic Church's moral structure might "fall like a house of cards" if it doesn't balance its divisive rules about abortion, gays and contraception with the greater need to make it a merciful, more welcoming place for all.Six months into his papacy, Francis set out his vision for the church and his priorities as pope in a lengthy and remarkably blunt interview with La Civilta Cattolica, the Italian Jesuit magazine. It was published simultaneously Thursday in Jesuit journals in 16 countries, including America magazine in the U.S.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has warned that the Catholic Church's moral structure might "fall like a house of cards" if it doesn't balance its divisive rules about abortion, gays and contraception with the greater need to make it a merciful, more welcoming place for all.Six months into his papacy, Francis set out his vision for the church and his priorities as pope in a lengthy and remarkably blunt interview with La Civilta Cattolica, the Italian Jesuit magazine. It was published simultaneously Thursday in Jesuit journals in 16 countries, including America magazine in the U.S.

I think the problem is that everyone wants to invite all into the church, as they are, with no change to their persons. How can it be inviting to all when all don't want to follow in the footsteps of the Son, but would rather go after sin, such as homosexuality, abortions, fornication, etc?

Every true Christian knows they had to give something up that was sinful behavior because salvation is far more important than giving in to carnal lusts, however, many don't want to give a thing up, but still carry the title Christian, further dividing people and causing confusion.

There's mercy, but it won't help a person in the long run if they refuse to leave sin behind.

I think the problem is that everyone wants to invite all into the church, as they are, with no change to their persons. How can it be inviting to all when all don't want to follow in the footsteps of the Son, but would rather go after sin, such as homosexuality, abortions, fornication, etc?

Every true Christian knows they had to give something up that was sinful behavior because salvation is far more important than giving in to carnal lusts, however, many don't want to give a thing up, but still carry the title Christian, further dividing people and causing confusion.

There's mercy, but it won't help a person in the long run if they refuse to leave sin behind.

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Really well said Angela22, well said indeed, and it seems the Pope is recognizing that fact ... hold on, there's more to come, God is preparing for the Parousia, I think ... Remember the song by Dottie Peoples:

Pope Francis has warned that the Catholic Church's moral structure might "fall like a house of cards" if it doesn't balance its divisive rules about abortion, gays and contraception with the greater need to make it a merciful, more welcoming place for all.

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Sounds like the pope wants to sell out the Gospel. He seems to think mercy and welcoming behavior considered to be an abomination to God is a 'greater need" than loving the sinner but not compromising the truth that the sinner might find uncomfortable and inconvenient.

Sounds like the pope wants to sell out the Gospel. He seems to think mercy and welcoming behavior considered to be an abomination to God is a 'greater need" than loving the sinner but not compromising the truth that the sinner might find uncomfortable and inconvenient.

Pope Francis, in a wide-ranging interview with La Civilta Cattolica, courted new controversy with hardliners Thursday, saying the church must find a "new balance" on some of the most divisive of matters.The discussion in the Italian Jesuit magazine is worth reading in its entirety, but until you find time for all 12,000 words, here are some of the highlights.

1. What are his thoughts on traditional hot-button issues? The full interview, which was translated by America Press, includes the pope's acknowledgement that some Catholics are not happy that he has not spent more time speaking out against abortion, gay marriage and contraception.

Francis said that those topics should be talked about "in a context." He said, "The teaching of the church, for that matter, is clear and I am a son of the church, but it is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time."

I think the problem is that everyone wants to invite all into the church, as they are, with no change to their persons. How can it be inviting to all when all don't want to follow in the footsteps of the Son, but would rather go after sin, such as homosexuality, abortions, fornication, etc?

Every true Christian knows they had to give something up that was sinful behavior because salvation is far more important than giving in to carnal lusts, however, many don't want to give a thing up, but still carry the title Christian, further dividing people and causing confusion.

There's mercy, but it won't help a person in the long run if they refuse to leave sin behind.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis offered an olive branch of sorts to the doctrine-minded, conservative wing of the Catholic Church on Friday as he denounced abortions as a symptom of today's "throw-away culture" and encouraged Catholic doctors to refuse to perform them.Francis issued a strong anti-abortion message and cited Vatican teaching on the need to defend the unborn during an audience with Catholic gynecologists.It came a day after he was quoted as blasting the church's obsession with "small-minded rules" that are driving the faithful away. In an interview that has sent shockwaves through the church, Francis urged its pastors to focus on being merciful and welcoming rather than insisting only on such divisive, hot-button issues as abortion, gay marriage and contraception.http://news.yahoo.com/pope-blasts-abortion-decrying-focus-rules-131410774.html